Tableware Organizer for Large Group Gatherings

ABSTRACT

A tableware organizer for large group gatherings with holders for commonly used items for food service such as eating utensils, cups, plates, paper towels, and toothpicks. The organizer has a lid is attached to the base during transport or storage to prevent items from falling out of the organizer. The lid has a carrying handle at the top and finger inserts on the sides which allow it to be carried from the sides or the top. The holders are positioned on the base and shaped such that the items inside may be easily reached by children.

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/669,870, by Jean Paul Beebe, “Tableware Organizer For Large Group Gatherings” filed May 10, 2018.

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a compact storage container for tableware, and more particularly to storage containers for utensils, plates, paper towels, cups, and other items used at large group gatherings such as picnics, family reunions, and weddings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gatherings such as picnics, family reunions, and weddings frequently involve serving food to large numbers of people. At many of these events, attendees may form a line to be served, and it is helpful in these cases to have all tableware gathered in one place near the food service line so that it can be collected at the same time. Other events may have limited tablespace or attendees may not eat at the same time, making laying out individual table settings impractical even for smaller groups. In each of these circumstances, there is a need for a container which organizes the tableware in one location for use.

In addition, tableware must be transported to the gathering in a way that prevents loss or spillage of the tableware. For outdoor gatherings such as picnics or family reunions, the container must be capable of being carried conveniently for long distances without spillage.

In addition, children present at gatherings with self service for food often have difficulty serving themselves due to the need to reach across a table or countertop to reach tableware.

Current solutions include picnic baskets, or picnic caddies made with wire, wicker, or plastic frames which organize tableware. However, these organizers are frequently designed for a small number of people rather than large group gatherings or do not include space for important items that are used during food service. Many organizers are open at the top, allowing items to fall out of the organizer and be lost during transport. Others have high sides which prevent children from reaching the items inside. As such, there is a need for a tableware container for large group gatherings which provides a compact space for tableware storage, prevents spillage when turned over or transported for long distances, and designed so that all items are in easy reach for people of all ages when placed on a table or countertop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a tableware organizer for large group gatherings containing commonly used items for food service such as eating utensils, cups, plates, paper towels, and toothpicks.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tableware organizer configured for ease of reach so that children may access all items placed in the organizer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tableware organizer which is designed to be compact and maximize available space, which may be easily stored alongside other containers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tableware organizer which has a lid which may be placed under the base of the organizer to serve as a raised table surface or to lift it above other items on the table for visibility.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tableware organizer with a lid that prevents the items inside from falling out of the organizer during transport.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a tableware organizer with multiple handles that allow it to be carried in different positions for ease of transport in combination with other items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the base of the tableware organizer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the lid of the tableware organizer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the base of the tableware organizer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the assembled lid and base of the tableware organizer in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the base of the tableware organizer 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The tableware organizer includes a base 105 and a lid 165 configured to fit over the base during storage or transport.

In the preferred embodiment, the base 105 is thick enough to be raised slightly above table level to prevent spills from entering the base 105. In other embodiments, there is a raised edge around the base 105 to prevent spillage. In another embodiment, the base may be a hollow shell with a grid or webbing of thicker material for reinforcement.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment, the tableware organizer has a lid 165 which is shaped so that it may either be placed over the base 105 to seal the tableware organizer 100 during transport or removed to allow access to the items inside. The lid 165 has an outer edge that expands outwards to cover the raised outer edge of the base 105.The lid 165 is shaped such that it may be placed underneath the base 105 to raise the base off of the surface it is resting on for visibility, ease of storage, or spill protection. The lid 165 has a carrying handle 175 which is located in a carrying handle receptacle 180 at the top of the lid 165. This allows the carrying handle 175 to be used in a raised position to lift the container like a briefcase for convenience during transport, or the carrying handle 175 may be folded into a lowered position inside the carrying handle receptacle 180 to allow other items to be stacked on top of the lid 165 during storage or when the lid 165 is placed underneath the base 105. In other embodiments the lid may be shaped differently or may omit the carrying handle 175 and carrying handle receptacle 180.

In the preferred embodiment, the lid 165 has a set of side latches 155 located on the outer edges of the lid 165 which are closed over the edges of the base 105 to retain it in place. The side latches 165 have finger inserts for convenience when closing the latches or carrying the assembled organizer 100. In other embodiments, the lid 165 may use other carrying means such as handles, indentations in the surface of the lid or base, or other similar carrying means which would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the side latches 155 may be located on the base 105 and be closed over the lid 165 to retain it in place. In other embodiments the lid may be attached to the base by clamps, hooks, hinges, or other similar retaining means which would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

In the preferred embodiment a set of holders for utensils, cups, toothpicks, paper towels, and plates extends out of the base 105. The holders may be receptacles such as cavities which are shaped to receive the items, extensions of the base which are shaped such that items may be placed on or over the extensions, or the extensions may be placed into cavities of the items they are configured to fold in place, such that the openings of the cardboard tube in a paper towel roll. In other embodiments, the holders or receptacles may be removably attached to the base 105, rather than extensions of the base 105. Other embodiments may omit holders for one or more of these items, may include holders or receptacles in alternate positions, may include more or less of each type of holder or receptacle, or may have holders or receptacles for additional items.

In the preferred embodiment, two cup holders 125 are located between the utensil holders 110 and the outer edge of the base 105. The cup holders 125 are composed with a raised X-shaped protrusion. The cups are inserted upside down onto the X so that they are retained in place. The cup holder 125 is tapered such that the top of the X shaped protrusion is smaller in circumference than the bottom such that the sides slowly taper outwards nearer to the base. This allows cups of varying sizes to be placed onto the cup holder 125 and retained in place. In other embodiments, the cup holders 125 may be other shapes or sizes, or differ in number.

In the preferred embodiment, a toothpick holder 130 is attached near the out edge of the base, taking the form of a circular protrusion with a hollow center. Toothpicks are placed in the center of the toothpick holder 130 such that they are retained in place by the edge of the toothpick holder 130.

In the preferred embodiment, a pair of paper towel holders 160 are removably attachable to a pair of paper towel holder receptacles 135 located on the opposite side of the base 105 from the cup holders 125. The paper towel holders 160 have two circular protrusions which are inserted into the cardboard tube of a paper towel roll such that it may rotate freely to dispense paper towels. The paper towel holders 160 may be removed from the paper towel holder receptacles 160 to replace a broken holder, or to make space for additional items in the tableware organizer 100. In other embodiments, the two paper towel holders 160 In another embodiment, the paper towel holders 160 may be attached by screws, adhesives, or other attachments means that would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art. In other embodiments, the paper towel holders 160 may be joined into a single unit by a connecting bar, or may be permanently affixed to the base 105. In the preferred embodiment, the paper towel holders 160 are located close to the edge of the base 105 on one side of the organizer for easy access without reaching over other items, and allowing for easy rotation and manipulation of the paper towel roll without dislodging other items stored in the tableware organizer 100.

A set of utensil holders 110 are located centrally on the base in a circular configuration such that the inner edges of the utensil holders 110 define a circular plate receptacle 140. The utensil holders 110 for different utensils such as knives, forks, and spoons are separated by one or more section dividers 115 which prevent utensils from becoming mixed.

As shown in FIG. 3, the utensil holders do not define a complete circle, including two openings which serve as plate receptacle access slots 145. The plate receptacle access slots 145 allow plates to be lifted out of the central plate receptacle 140 without reaching over the utensil holders 110. This allows easy removal of plates which are close in size to the size of the plate receptacle 140 which would otherwise be difficult to remove, and provides a means for children with limited reach to access the plates. The utensil holder 110 may also be used to store straws.

In the preferred embodiment the utensil holders 110 are tapered such that the inner walls of the utensil holders 110 defining the plate receptacle 140 are higher than the outer walls closer to the edge of the base 100. The lower height of the outer wall 120 minimizes the distance that utensils must be lifted, providing a quicker removal process and enabling children to remove the utensils more easily. The higher inner wall allows the storage of additional plates within the plate receptacle 140 and decreases the risk that stored plates will fall out when the tableware organizer 100 is tilted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lid 165 may be placed into an assembled position in which the side latches 155 located on the outer edges of the lid 165 are closed over the edges of the base 105 to retain it in place. The carrying handle 175 is rotated into the carrying handle receptacle 180 so that it does not protrude over the top surface of the lid 165. This allows multiple units of the tableware organizer 100 to be stacked, or for the tableware organizer 100 to be placed in storage with other items stacked on top of it. In the assembled position, the lid of the tableware organizer 100 assists in retaining the stored items which might otherwise be blown away by wind at outdoor events, and assists in preventing items from from falling out of the organizer and being lost when the organizer 100 is being carried or tilted.

The diagrams in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided as examples and should not be construed to limit other embodiments within the scope of the invention. For instance, heights, widths, and thicknesses may not be to scale and should not be construed to limit the invention to the particular proportions illustrated. Additionally some elements illustrated in the singularity may actually be implemented in a plurality. Further, some element illustrated in the plurality could actually vary in count. Further, some elements illustrated in one form could actually vary in detail. Further yet, specific numerical data values (such as specific quantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specific information should be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exemplary embodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit the invention.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A tableware organizer comprising; a base; a plurality of holders for items used during meal service or dining, wherein the holders extend from or are removably attached to the base, wherein the plurality of holders comprise; a holder for flateware a holder for plates; and a holder for cups; and a lid which covers the base of the tableware organizer and.
 2. A tableware organizer as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of holders further comprise; a holder for paper towels.
 3. A tableware organizer as described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of holders further comprise; a toothpick holder.
 4. A tableware organizer as described in claim 1, wherein the holder for cups is an extension of the base which is widest at the point where it extends out of the base and tapers toward the top of the extension.
 5. A tableware organizer as described in claim 1, wherein there are a pair of flatware holders having an inner wall positioned towards the center of the base and an outer wall positioned towards the edges of the base, wherein the outer wails of the flatware holders are lower than the inner walls of the flatware holders such that flatware is removable from the flatware holder without lifting the flatware to the height of the inner walls of the flatware holders.
 6. A tableware organizer as described in claim 1, wherein there are a pair of flatware holders having an inner wall positioned towards the center of the base and an outer wall positioned towards the edges of the base, wherein the flatware holders are positioned on the base such that their inner wall forms a receptacle for plates.
 7. A tableware organizer as described in claim 6, wherein the inner walls of the pair flatware holders which form a receptacle for plates do not touch one another, wherein the space between the inner walls of the pair of flatware holders serves as a plate receptacle access slot allowing removal of plates from the plate receptacle without reaching over the inner walls of the flatware holders.
 8. A tableware organizer as described in claim 6, wherein the outer walls of the flatware holders are lower than the inner walls of the flatware holders such that flatware is removable from the flatware holder without lifting the flatware to the height of the inner walls of the flatware holders.
 9. A tableware organizer as described in claim 1, wherein the lid has a top surface with an attached carrying handle.
 10. A tableware organizer as described in claim 9, wherein the carrying handle is rotatable, and wherein the handle can be rotated into a carrying handle receptacle such that it rests entirely within the carrying handle receptacle and does not protrude above the top surface of the lid.
 11. A tableware organizer as described in claim 1, wherein the lid has two side latches which close over the base to retain the lid in place, and wherein the side latches have finger inserts allowing the tableware organizer to be lifted and carried.
 12. A tableware organizer comprising; a base; a plurality of holders for items used during meal service or dining, wherein the holders extend from or are removably attached to the base, wherein the holders comprise; a holder for flatware; a holder for plates; and a holder for cups; a holder for toothpicks a lid, wherein the lid has a top surface with an attached carrying handle; and a paper towel holder. 